Stormwater Management

What is Stormwater Runoff?



Stormwater Runoff is rainfall that flows over the ground surface. It is created when rain falls on roads, driveways, parking lots, rooftops and other paved surfaces that do not allow water to soak into the ground. Stormwater Runoff is a leading source of water pollution and excess surface runoff to streams.


Where Does Stormwater Runoff Go?



When stormwater cannot sink into the ground, it has nowhere to go but to flow across the surface of the ground.

Most stormwater runoff flows either: directly into streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and wetlands or down the nearest storm drain and then into the nearest waterway without any treatment.
What is Stormwater Runoff

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  1. Clean Water Plant

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    Phone: 616-772-0873
    Emergency: 616-772-2001

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What's the Difference Between Storm Drains and Sanitary Sewers?



City storm drains are separate from sanitary sewers and do not drain into municipal wastewater treatment facilities but carry stormwater runoff from a catch basin (a.k.a., storm drain inlet, curb inlet) into streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and wetlands.

The sanitary sewer is a system of underground pipes that carries sewage from bathrooms, sinks, kitchens, and other plumbing components to the wastewater treatment plant where it is filtered, treated and discharged.
Storm Drain Systems Are Separate from Wastewater Systems

How Can Stormwater Runoff Be Reduced or Prevented?



To counteract these impacts of stormwater runoff, the City of Zeeland has adopted a stormwater pollution prevention program to manage stormwater for all new development. Stormwater management is the use of specific practices, constructed or natural, to reduce, temporarily detain, slow down and/or remove pollutants from stormwater runoff.


Stormwater Pollution Prevention



The City of Zeeland is issued a Storm Water discharge permit. The State of Michigan EGLE requires the City of Zeeland to monitor and maintain our storm water drains and pipes that transport stormwater and sample during high rain events to ensure water is free from pollutants that could harm the environment. The City of Zeeland works in collaboration with the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC) to meet our storm water requirements, while also reducing phosphorus levels that have been identified as one of the pollutants causing problems in Lake Macatawa. The MACC has a website containing a newsletter and showing projects that have been completed in the Lake Macatawa watershed.

For more information about the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC) and other ways that you can help make a difference contact the links below:

http://www.the-macc.org/stormwater/